Peter Ryan joins UC Brumbies as Contact Coach

Peter Ryan returns to the University of Canberra Brumbies as Contact Coach in 2015, 13 years after he finished playing with the club as a championship-winning flanker in 2002.

Ryan will fill the position until the end of 2016 after signing a two-year deal on Thursday night.

The first of just five players to have won titles in both the NRL and Super Rugby (others include Sonny-Bill Williams, Brad Thorn, Israel Folau and Will Chambers), Ryan developed a tough reputation as a player which has transferred into his coaching career.

Ryan has held coaching roles with the Queensland Reds, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys over the last decade, each time as a contact or defensive specialist.

With 35 UC Brumbies games to his name between 2000 and 2002, including the club’s first championship in 2001, Ryan left a proud legacy with the Canberra-based club which he was pleased to be picking back up.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my years in Canberra, we had a terrific playing group I have a number of good friends who I stay in regular contact with from those early years with the Brumbies,” Ryan said.

“To be back and coaching is an exciting challenge for me. The team has performed well over the last few seasons, but I’m confident they can improve further to put themselves in a position to win more championships.

“Defence and the breakdown were areas of the game which I really enjoyed. I’m hoping I can pass on some of that to the new generation of Brumbies players over the next couple of years.”

Ryan played 155 games for the Brisbane Broncos, including title in 1993, 1997 and 1998, although he was suspended for the final premiership.

Head Coach Stephen Larkham played throughout Ryan’s UC Brumbies careers just over a decade ago, describing him as one of the toughest players of that era.

Larkham said Ryan’s inclusion was a boost to his side’s ambitions in 2015.

“Peter will take on a broad role with the UC Brumbies which includes the breakdown, tackle technique and contact,” Larkham said.

“As a player and a coach these are areas that Peter excelled in and we are looking forward to him passing that knowledge on.

“As a person, Peter is a straight talker who’ll get the best out of our players. He’s tough not only by reputation but by nature.”